» Clean Water Current Archive

March 27, 2009

NACWA Continues Strong Push on Funding Bills in Senate and House

Now that the stimulus package has become law, Congress is dealing with other key water-related funding bills, including reauthorization of the State Revolving Fund (SRF) and the fiscal year 2010 EPA budget bill. NACWA and other key Water Infrastructure Network (WIN) organizations met with Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee staff to discuss the upcoming Senate bill to reauthorize the SRFs at approximately $38 billion over the next five years. The Senate reauthorization bill will include funding for both drinking water and wastewater whereas the House version, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1262), only covers wastewater infrastructure and passed the House with a veto-proof majority. NACWA and WIN are seeking a more significant grant component for the clean water SRF program in the Senate legislation and urged EPW staff to begin work on a Senate trust fund bill. The Senate plans to introduce and mark up its SRF reauthorization bill shortly after the April recess. EPW staff indicated an interest this year in updating the SRF distribution formula to states — a highly controversial issue that could slow down the bill’s movement to the Senate floor.

On a related note, President Obama’s fiscal year 2010 budget proposal seeks to significantly boost funding for the clean water SRF from the current $689 million to approximately $2.4 billion. However, the proposal’s overall spending appears likely to be cut back significantly in the budget negotiations between the House and Senate, though it is unclear whether the SRF portion will be targeted for cuts. NACWA is urging its members to contact their senators and U.S. representatives to support this important funding, as well as efforts to establish a clean water trust fund over the long-term. NACWA members received Legislative Alert 09-07 on Thursday with greater detail on how to support a “Dear Colleague” letter being circulated in the House seeking support for President Obama’s FY 2010 clean water funding increases.

Pretreatment Workshop Panels Focus on ELG Implementation, Emerging Contaminants

Pretreatment coordinators from across the country gathered this week in Charlotte, N.C., for NACWA’s 2009 Pretreatment and Pollution Prevention Workshop with panels that focused on topics ranging from effluent guidelines implementation to emerging contaminants. A panel of experts on Thursday discussed a proposed rule from EPA’s pesticide office that will assess the treatment plant and environmental impacts of antimicrobials that are washed down the drain into the sewer. NACWA is preparing comments on the proposal that will support requirements for pesticide manufacturers to submit data regarding the downstream impacts of their products.

For the first time in more than four years, the Workshop was preceded by the EPA and state pretreatment coordinators meeting, allowing NACWA’s members to meet directly with EPA officials from both headquarters and the regional offices on critical matters. For almost two decades, the Workshop has provided unparalleled opportunities for pretreatment officials to meet and discuss national policy issues. The 2009 Workshop kicked off with an update from EPA officials on efforts relating to effluent guidelines and pretreatment program implementation. Issues relating to contaminants of emerging concern, including pharmaceuticals and perfluorochemicals, are front and center for both EPA’s Office of Science and Technology and the National Pretreatment Program staff. New issues relating to antimicrobials, including triclosan in household soaps and nano-silver, are raising concerns regarding impacts on the wastewater treatment process, aquatic life, and biosolids quality. The Workshop concluded today with a discussion of controlling mercury wastes from dental clinics.

NACWA Advocacy Helps Lead to Repeal of EPA Permit Fee Rule

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced this week that the Agency will rescind its controversial permit fee rule, signaling a clear victory for NACWA’s advocacy against the measure. The rule, first proposed in late 2006 and issued in final form in late 2008, would have provided a financial incentive to states that funded at least 75 percent of their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program through permit fees charged to regulated entities. NACWA joined with a variety of municipal, industry, and state associations to fight the proposal, filing comments in opposition to the rule and arguing that a shift to a fee-based approach would place a significant economic burden on clean water utilities. In response to these efforts, Congress inserted report language in EPA’s FY 2008 budget specifically blocking implementation of the proposal. However, EPA officials under the Bush administration disregarded this language and signaled their intention to go ahead with the rule by publishing it in the Federal Register in September 2008. Jackson’s decision this week to repeal the rule suggests the Obama administration will take a more pragmatic approach regarding funding for the NPDES program and reflects the effectiveness of the important advocacy work of NACWA and other stakeholder groups on this critical issue. NACWA will continue to report on any future developments.

NACWA Conference Call to Provide Information on Stimulus Package Implementation

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), better known as the stimulus package, is now law, and NACWA is interested in finding out if member agencies are receiving funds and are willing to share the experiences with implementing the new law. NACWA will use this information to help shape its future advocacy efforts both for implementing the stimulus funding and for supporting current and upcoming funding bills. Join us on one of two calls next Wednesday, April 1, 2009. Calls will be offered at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and at 2 p.m. EDT — affording members the opportunity to choose the most convenient time for them to participate. Registration for The Stimulus Stump . . . Giving a Voice to Clean Water Utilities is provided at no charge as a benefit of membership to NACWA Member Agencies. We encourage you to register online today!

Climate Change, Clean Water Funding to be Significant Focus of Policy Forum

The 2009 National Clean Water Policy Forum is shaping up to feature in-depth discussions and analysis of climate change and funding for wastewater infrastructure, two topics that will significantly affect the clean water community in the near-term and for years to come. The Policy Forum, sponsored by NACWA and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, May 3-6. Invited guests include Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ). In addition, there will be panels with key congressional staff who will provide detailed analysis of legislative priorities for the coming year and recommend ways the clean water community can achieve its goals. Another panel with the directors of key offices within the EPA Office of Water will discuss Agency priorities under the Obama administration.

Like past Policy Forums, this year’s event will provide a unique opportunity for representatives from clean water agencies to interact with policymakers here in Washington, D.C., and meet with their individual members of Congress to discuss their specific concerns and advocate on behalf of NACWA on these critical issues. To receive the special conference rate at the hotel, please register by April 13. Complete registration information and details about the Policy Forum are available on NACWA’s website.